By: Ryan Jensen
It
has been 4 years since the Green Bay Packers had a 1,000 yard rusher. After Ryan Grant's 1,253 yard season in 2009, he was
injured in the first game of the 2010 season sending the Packers running game
on a downward spiral. Brandon Jackson led
the team in rushing in 2010 with 703 yards with just a 3.7 yard average. James Starks was the leading rusher in
2011 with 578 yards and a 4.3 yard average, and Alex Green led the team last season with
464 yards and a dismal 3.4 yard average. I can't help but daydream about the
days when the running game was the most consistent part of the Packers offense,
specifically in 2003, when Green Bay had 3 running backs who averaged at least
5.0 yards per carry: Ahman Green (5.3), Najeh Davenport (5.5),
and Tony Fisher (5.0). I believe the Packers
are ready to drastically improve with the addition of rookie running backs Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin.
Eddie Lacy is Packers’ best RB option
Lacy
is the best option for the Packers offense. He will compliment QB Aaron Rodgers perfectly by converting the
3rd and shorts and punching in the short distance touchdowns. There have been
some unfair questions about Lacy's weight due to an unflattering picture, but
he will surprise people with how light he is on his feet. Listed at 5'11'' and
230 lbs, the strength and power he brings to the table is a given, but it's how
well he maneuvers his size that makes him so dynamic. He knows when to be
patient and will let blocks develop, but will also lower his shoulder and power
over defenders for extra yardage. Lacy's role will be most prominent in the
redzone. He unofficially ran for 65 yards on 8 carries at
the Packers Family Night Scrimmage, showing his ability to get up field in a
hurry off of a good block and a nice cut.
Will Franklin earn the third-down RB
job?
There
has been some speculation that Franklin will emerge as the starter before the
season ends. He has impressed early on by bursting out of his cuts with
tremendous speed. At 5'10'' and 205 lbs, he is smaller than Lacy but his
acceleration will compliment Lacy's style perfectly. He is not afraid of
running through the middle, but has had a history of fumbles. With the right
coaching, he should be able to clean that up. His pass protection was questioned
before the draft, but has been very physical in training camp and is clearly
working hard to earn the role of the 3rd down back.
Are Starks, Green (and Harris?)
relevant?
Alex
Green and Starks are also in the mix. Both players have had opportunities to be
the featured back in this high octane offense, but generally have not had much
success because both have struggled to stay healthy. Starks has been the most
consistent back in camp so far this year, but he also has the most experience.
He started with the number ones on Packers Family Night, and looked like the
running back from the 2010 playoffs. Alex Green will have his work cut out for
him trying to earn touches, but he does look better than he did last year when
he was still recovering from the knee injury which held him out of the 2011
season.
Another
player that cannot be forgotten about is DuJuan Harris. He earned a chance to make the
team with what he did at the end of last season by averaging 4.6 yards per
carry and being effective in the passing game. He has a very high motor and a
low center of gravity (5’8’' and 203 lbs). He has been out early in training
camp due to a knee injury, and is also recovering from surgery in which he had
a large fist-sized cyst removed from near his lung. As DuJuan Harris' agent, Dave Lee,
pointed out, "The cyst was pressing against his lung, and
now he has full capacity with his lungs so he should have even more endurance
and speed, so it was a blessing in disguise."
If
DuJuan Harris does in fact bounce back in better shape with a year of
experience under his belt, it would be hard to keep him off the field. We have
seen the ceiling from Starks and Green and know what we are getting with those
guys, and it's time to see what these young runners can do.
Green
Bay has also been impressed by undrafted rookie free agent, Angelo Pease. He performed well at the
Packers' rookie orientation in
May, showing the ability to make decisive cuts. He managed an impressive
touchdown on the Packers Family Night scrimmage. He has also done a good job in
pass protection which could earn him a spot on the practice squad, or even the
53-man roster.
What should we expect from this crowded
backfield?
I
expect to see a lot of Starks throughout the preseason and early in the regular
season because he has the most experience on the roster. He keeps the defense
honest, because he is more of a passing down threat than a rusher, but can
easily get his average above 4.0 yards per carry.
Lacy
will earn most of the redzone touches, and could become a 20-25 touch per game
player, but it will be difficult to keep the dynamic Franklin and Alex Green on
the sideline. Look for Lacy to get about 15 touches, Starks with 5, Franklin
and Green each with 2-3. Harris and Pease could have success if the opportunity
presents itself, but they are buried behind a lot of talent. Coach Mike
McCarthy will stick with the hot hand, which will be Lacy by October.
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